People in Wokingham are being denied coronavirus tests and the government has been asked “to ensure everybody who needs a test in the borough can get one”.

NHS Test and Trace is struggling to meet demand for testing in England and prioritising areas of concern, which have high numbers of confirmed cases.

That means some people areas which have a relativley low number of cases, such as Wokingham, are missing out on tests.

Wokingham Borough Council is now calling on the government to provide more tests in Wokingham, where 659 people have been diagnosed with the virus during the pandemic and 152 coronavirus patients have died.

READ MORE: Plans to build 1,600 homes in Wokingham a year slammed

Councillor Charles Margetts, the council’s executive member for Adult Social Care, said: “This is a national issue that is impacting people across the country.

“But we need to act in the interests of our residents and that is why we are calling on central government to ensure everybody who needs a test in the borough can get one.

“We have written to our local MPs and raised this issue through all the appropriate channels and will continue to do so until it is resolved.”

The council is also urging people in Wokingham to phone NHS 111 if they believe they have Covid-19 symptoms and seek advice before requesting a test.

READ MORE: Wokingham's high-risk kids received ‘virtual visits’ during lockdown

Cllr Margetts added: “I understand the desire to get tested ‘just in case’ or if you are self-isolating, but the truth is that is not helpful to you or our wider community.

“We need to push for more testing capacity locally, but we also need to be responsible in our use of that capacity, so I am urging residents to keep following the rules – as we have done so far – and leave tests to those who really need them.”